Orchard Fresh

Since it sprouted on the Buffalo food scene in mid-April, Orchard Fresh has blossomed into THE place for western New York’s foodies. People have been known to drive to the store, located in the upscale Southtowns Buffalo suburb of Orchard Park, from as far away as Syracuse and Erie, Pa. With its vast, unparalleled selection of natural, organic and hard-to-find artisan gourmet groceries it is easy to understand why people are flocking to Orchard Fresh, a division of Tops Markets. Read about GHQ’s visit to Orchard Fresh here.

The signage has a deliberate weathered look to promote old-fashioned goodness.

Orchard Fresh

The produce is restaurant-quality and merchandised in unconventional means. These cherries, for example, have higher specs and Brix than the cherries found in a traditional Tops store. They are also merchandised in quart baskets from a massive stainless steel basin. In a traditional supermarket they would be merchandised in bags.

Orchard Fresh

Local apples are merchandised in giant troughs.

Orchard Fresh

The pineapple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Orchard Fresh

Stuffed jalapeños are a local delicacy – and Orchard Fresh exclusive – made fresh each day by the store’s chefs.

Orchard Fresh

In-season local produce is very big at Orchard Fresh.

Orchard Fresh

These heirloom tomatoes were grown in upstate New York.

Orchard Fresh

Salad greens are merchandised in Plexiglas bins and changed daily to ensure freshness.

The Fresh Cut Fruit Wall includes a wide variety of stuffed mushrooms.

Orchard Fresh

The West Quaker Flowers & Gifts floral department is named after the intersection fronting the store.

Orchard Fresh

Its selection includes bouquets and live plants, including exotic orchids.

Orchard Fresh

The Gloucester Pier Seafood department stocks up to 28 different varieties of fillets daily.

Orchard Fresh

Many items, like this Ahi Sashimi tuna, are flown in from Hawaii twice a week.

Orchard Fresh

Among the specialties made by meat and seafood team leader Dave Fahmer are the crab Wellingtons.

Orchard Fresh

Crabs are available from around the country.

Orchard Fresh

Believe it or not, at $113 an ounce, Russian Osetra Caviar is still a strong seller.

Orchard Fresh

But the most popular item in the department is the homemade octopus salad.

Orchard Fresh

In the adjacent meat counter frog legs are a strong seller – thanks to foodies who host weekly Duck Dynasty dinner parties when they watch their favorite show. Fans of Revenge might buy the frozen python further down the aisle.

Orchard Fresh

A whopping 19 varieties of sausage are prepared daily.

Orchard Fresh

Unlike other supermarkets in town, at Orchard Fresh everything is butchered in-house.

Orchard Fresh

Cuts include items like lamb chops that are hard to find in Buffalo’s other supermarkets.

Orchard Fresh

A wide variety of store-made burgers are available, including Prairie Bison Burger made with an espresso rub; Smoked Bacon Cheeseburger made with local Yancey’s Fancy cheese; Black and Blue Burger made with sirloin, black pepper and blue cheese; and the Italian Stallion Burger made with Italian seasonings.

Orchard Fresh

Most items in the Bakery department are made from scratch.

Orchard Fresh

Pastry Hearts, a puff pastry coated with icing or jam, is one of those “Buffalo things” that the locals go crazy over.

Orchard Fresh

Orchard Fresh has become known for its store decorated cakes, done in neon hues. The Chocolate Truffle Cake is a best-seller. Unfortunately for our readers – fortunately for Orchard Fresh – a customer snapped the last one up before our photographer could take a snapshot of it.

Orchard Fresh

All cakes are works of art.

Orchard Fresh

All cakes are works of art.

Orchard Fresh

The pies have it!

Orchard Fresh

A lemon meringue dream.

Orchard Fresh

The Candy Shop Cake includes Twix and M&Ms.

Orchard Fresh

One case in the Bakery is devoted to Aléthea’s Chocolates, a locally famous candy shoppe out of Williamsville, N.Y.

Orchard Fresh

The far wall of the store is devoted to the Frozen Foods and Beer departments.

Orchard Fresh

Most of the beer brands are hard-to-find craft beers.

Orchard Fresh

As well as an impressive assortment of large Belgian bottles.

Orchard Fresh

Brochures and signage help educate shoppers about the craft beers.

Orchard Fresh

Many local items are carried, such as Lake Placid Ale...

Orchard Fresh

...and Southern Tier.

Orchard Fresh

The heart of Orchard Fresh is the prepared food area in the middle of the store, fondly referred to as the “Amoeba” because of its shape.

Orchard Fresh

The Amoeba includes a wood fired pizza oven.

Orchard Fresh

Shizen Sushi is the only leased department in the entire store.

Orchard Fresh

Hundreds of varieties of cheeses are offered in the service cheese case.

Orchard Fresh

Sandwiches using Boar’s Head meats and cheeses are made to order – and also available pre-made. They sell out quickly!

Orchard Fresh

The Amoeba includes a service “hot bar behind glass” department for hot entrees, like the spicy turkey roll, which was excellent!

Orchard Fresh

All dishes in the service case are made from scratch – even condiments, like mayonnaise and ketchup are made from scratch.

Orchard Fresh

Many items are heat-and-serve, like the meatloaf and crab cakes.

Orchard Fresh

Given Orchard Fresh’s clientele, tofu dishes are also very popular.

Orchard Fresh

As are the grilled vegetables.

Orchard Fresh

Soups are sold from small tureens to ensure freshness and prevent the “encrustation” found on many supermarket soup kettles. The small batches are replenished throughout the day.

Orchard Fresh

Six different varieties of Coleman Natural brand rotisserie chickens are offered daily.

Orchard Fresh

At the coffee bar the barista makes each cup to order. The machines actually grind the beans and then brew the cup. You can’t get fresher than that!

Orchard Fresh

A new program will use select beans from Orchard Fresh’s 30 different blends for daily grinding.

Orchard Fresh

Similar canisters are used in the Old Tyme Candy Bar.

Orchard Fresh

Orchard Fresh’s grocery aisles are filled with unusual and gourmet products and hardly any national brands.

Orchard Fresh

There is even a leaning tower of olive oil!

Orchard Fresh

Signs throughout the store point to the buyers’ favorite picks. While Jack is not on the payroll, he belongs to one of the buyers and approves of Freshpet Select brand.

Orchard Fresh

One kiosk in the store is devoted to private label sea salts.

Orchard Fresh

There are dozens of varieties stocked.

Orchard Fresh

A selection of high-end cookware, like Le Creuset, draws in shoppers who might otherwise have to trek to Macy’s.

Orchard Fresh

The Wusthof knives are also high-end.

Orchard Fresh

Orchard Fresh has very little private label, although it has a proprietary orange and olive oil soap made exclusively for the store by Syracuse Soap Works.

Orchard Fresh

Private label vitamins and supplements have also proven to be a real winner.

Orchard Fresh

Based on customer feedback, Orchard Fresh has now begun stocking paper products.

Orchard Fresh

Honest Tea – if you are ever up in Buffalo you have to check out this store!